The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is set for a major overhaul in its upcoming 12th season, with the league announcing changes to its structure on Friday. Set to commence on August 29, the new season will feature a revamped playoff format that includes the top eight teams, a simplified two-point system for a win, and a new tie-breaker rule to ensure a decisive winner in every league stage match. The tournament will travel to four cities this year: Visakhapatnam, Jaipur, Chennai, and Delhi.
In a shift, the playoff race will now be open to the top eight teams from the league stage, a first for the tournament. This expanded structure introduces a "Play-in" round for teams finishing between fifth and eighth place, with the winners advancing to the Eliminators. Teams ranked third and fourth will compete in a mini-qualifier, where the winner moves forward while the loser gets a second chance. Meanwhile, the top two teams will face off in Qualifier 1, with the victor earning a direct berth in the Final and the loser getting another opportunity via Qualifier 2.
A significant change for the league stage is the complete elimination of tied matches. Previously used only in playoffs, a comprehensive tie-breaker system will now apply to all games. If scores are level at the end of regulation time, teams will enter a 5-raid shootout. This shootout has special rules: both teams’ field seven players, the baulk line also acts as a bonus line, and five different raiders must be used. If the deadlock persists, a Golden Raid will determine the winner. In the rare event of a continued tie, the match's outcome will be decided by a coin toss.
The league stage itself has also been tweaked. Each of the twelve franchises will now play 18 matches, bringing the total number of league games to 108 before the playoffs begin. Accompanying this is a new, simplified points system designed for clarity. Teams will now be awarded 2 points for a victory and 0 points for a loss, moving away from the previous system that included points for ties and narrow defeats.
These comprehensive changes are designed to intensify the competition and provide more high-stakes action throughout the season. By expanding the playoff field and ensuring every match has a clear winner, the league aims to make every game more crucial. It ensures that every league position from first to eighth carries significant weight, promising a more thrilling and competitive journey to the PKL Season 12 final.